Optimal Site Selection for Wind Farms Using the Boolean-AHP Model: Soran Independent Administration as a Case Study

Abstract

         Wind energy is considered one of the most significant sources of renewable and clean energy, requiring a detailed spatial assessment based on natural and human criteria to determine the optimal production sites. The main objective of this study is to identify the most suitable locations for establishing a wind farm within the Soran Independent Administration. To achieve this, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques were employed by integrating the Boolean model to exclude restricted areas (assigning them a zero value) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model to assign weights to (10) natural and human criteria, the most important of which are (wind speed, annual wind energy, and wind power density). The results revealed variations in the distribution of suitable land areas across administrative units; Sidekan sub-district ranked first as the most suitable area with (41%), followed by Haji Omeran (16%), and both Rawanduz and Choman with approximately (10%). In contrast, the lowest suitable areas were recorded in Goretu (0.08%) and Mazne (0.008%), while Soran District possessed no suitable areas (0%).